SOL Test Scoring & Performance Reports

Standards of Learning assessments in English reading, mathematics, science and history/social science are made up of 35-50 items or questions that measure content knowledge, scientific and mathematical processes, reasoning and critical thinking skills. English writing skills are measured with a two-part assessment that includes multiple-choice items and an essay.

Student performance is graded on a scale of 0-600 with 400 representing the minimum level of acceptable proficiency and 500 representing advanced proficiency. On English reading and mathematics tests, the Board of Education has defined three levels of student achievement: basic, proficient, and advanced, with basic describing progress towards proficiency.

Performance Level Descriptors

Performance level descriptors are available for SOL tests in reading, history and social science, mathematics and science. These descriptors convey the knowledge and skills associated with each performance (achievement) level.

SOL Reporting Resources

The following resources are recorded versions of professional development opportunities provided to division and school staff regarding the appropriate use of SOL score reports and assessment data:

Fall 2014 Standards of Learning Score Reports for Non-Writing Tests(WMV) – a recording of a training presentation on the new Standards of Learning Score Reports available for Non-Writing tests starting in Fall 2014. The presentation includes an example and description of each report, as well as the location of the report in the secure, online assessment system.

Cut Scores

Minimum scores – also known as "cut" scores – for each proficiency level are set by the Board of Education based on the recommendations from committees of teachers and other educators following a widely used standard-setting procedure.

Student Growth Percentiles

A growth percentile expresses how much progress a student has made in either reading or mathematics relative to the progress of students whose achievement was similar on previous assessments. In fall 2011, VDOE will report growth percentiles for students who participate in SOL testing for reading and mathematics in grades 4-8 and Algebra I through grade 9. These student-level reports will be available to administrators and to teachers as authorized locally. More information about student growth percentiles.

Standard Error of Measurement

The standard error of measurement is a statistical phenomenon and is unrelated to the accuracy of scoring. All test results, including scores on tests designed by classroom teachers, are subject to the standard error of measurement.